A-level results were released today, and show a continued resurgence of science, technology and mathematics (STEM subjects); with A* grades accounting for 8.1% of all results issued, according to the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications).
The results from JCQ for languages show that candidates for Spanish A levels are up by 4% compared to 2009 although the number of candidates for other language A-levels has fallen; French by 3.4%, German by 3.8%, and other languages by 7.1%; meaning a drop in the number of candidates taking language A-levels overall. The number of candidates taking Welsh and Irish A-levels has also dropped very slightly this year, after a steady increase year on year from 2007 to 2009.
Greater diversity is being seen in the languages being offered to students with many lesser taught languages seeing increases in the number of candidates taking an A-level such as Arabic, Persian, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish and Turkish.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:
“It is a very exciting time for all those who receive their results today and I congratulate everyone on their hard work and hope they got the results they need to fulfil their aspirations.”
Chair of ALL’s Secondary special interest group and former ALL president, Helen Myers, said:
“This year saw the introduction of new A-level specifications and the new A* grade, so we are delighted that there are excellent results for a wide range of students, reflecting their effort together with the support and commitment from their teachers”
More detail about the A-level results can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/10/exam_results/a_levels/html/all_subjects.stm.